Other than running her toes through the sand on the beach, Mom‘s favorite thing was sitting on her porch watching the birds, Miss Kitty in tow.
Most of her life, she spent in service to others. She was one of the founding members of the Collierville Women’s Club, was an active member of the Collierville United Methodist Church, sang in the choir, and delivered Meals on Wheels well into her 80s.
Mom was always there when anyone was sick or needed her and rarely complained, even when she was not well. She would say she was just being lazy rather than admit anything was wrong.
She had a wonderful sense of humor, except when she was singing in the choir and I was in the pew with a little purse full of rocks sitting right over the heater grate and slowly spilled them, clanking, one by one down the pipe. That was the other look you got, and it was not a good one.
Eleanor Taylor McGovern went by “Pat”. Her father believed her name sounded like a boring old lady and promptly assigned her a new one. She was born March 18, 1938 in Sturgis, MS and passed on October 23, 2026, in Collierville, TN, the town she loved and made her home.
She leaves behind two daughters, Rhonda (John) Moons and Robin McGovern. Two grandsons, Taylor (Megan) Livingston and Hunter Hall, two great grandchildren, Coltman and Sadie. She is also survived by the following siblings: Glenn Taylor, Lynn McDevitt, Liz Goode and Mike Taylor. Of course, we cannot forget Miss Kitty, her faithful companion.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Margaret Taylor, an infant son, and brothers, William, Jerry and Jim Taylor.
Visitation will be held at Collierville United Methodist Church Sanctuary on the Square, 104 N Rowlett St, Collierville, TN 38017, US, on October 31, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at 1:30 pm.
She will be laid to rest at Big Creek Cemetery, Sturgis, MS 39769, November 1, 2026, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Page Robbins Adult Day Center, the Collierville Animal Shelter, or the Collierville Women’s Club.
